Why does Ford not promote the Ranger more?

[RichD]

2.3 design over the 2.7? Agree to disagree. One is a truck motor one is not. Yes, the 2.3 is a solid motor, but the 2.7 design (mush like a diesel) was designed to be a truck motor. You don't put a 2.7 into the number one selling truck and not consider it to be a reliable truck motor. Just my .02 and research.

The wet belt was a no go for me and a plastic oil pan just ain’t it.

Sponsored

 

[danmoochie]

The 2.7L uses a wet belt for the oil pump, and it uses a plastic oil pan, with a plastic drain plug. Those are shortcuts that have caused documented issues in the 2.7L. The 2.3L has plenty of power for the Ranger.

Ok so the so-called wet belt, that might only last 150-200k has indeed been upgraded to Kevlar, the plastic pan is covered with a skid plate, and the plastic plug is way better than a threaded when it comes to leaks. Lots of guys here replace them with upgraded, but I see no need to worry so far. Still rather have a truck motor!

 

[danmoochie]

The wet belt was a no go for me and a plastic oil pan just ain’t it.

As already stated:

Ok so the so-called wet belt, that might only last 150-200k has indeed been upgraded to Kevlar, the plastic pan is covered with a skid plate, and the plastic plug is way better than a threaded when it comes to leaks. Lots of guys here replace them with upgraded, but I see no need to worry so far. Still rather have a truck motor!

 

[Ron Quixote]

What’s a truck motor?

 

[HighDesertRanger]

Ford has produced somewhere around 2 million 2.7 motors. In the F-150, Bronco, multiple Lincoln models, Fusion etc. It is a VERY well sorted out engine.

 

[HighDesertRanger]

100%, great explanation. However, all Ford had to do is market the Ranger as an F-series truck, like a F-50, since the best selling includes F-series, not just the F-150, thus adding to the overall numbers!!

This is 100% the reason we don't see more promotion and innovation in the Rangers. Ford is absolutely terrified of killing their golden goose (the F series) and anything that could potentially threaten that gets kicked to the curb. Call the Ranger an F-50, F-100, heck call it an F-Ranger and suddenly Ford corporate will be all about it. Until then though it's the black sheep in North America, even while the rest of the world gets all the Ranger innovation.

 

[stemplar]

The 2.7L uses a wet belt for the oil pump, and it uses a plastic oil pan, with a plastic drain plug. Those are shortcuts that have caused documented issues in the 2.7L. The 2.3L has plenty of power for the Ranger.

A Kevlar belt with remarkably few failures for the 2+ million in service. The oil pan was an issue in the first generation of 2.7 but was sorted by 2018. And the only “issue” with the drain plug I’m aware of is that the oil flows rather fast when the plug is removed.

btw, if you have a 2025 2.3 which has the new mpc engine, are you basing th reliability of that engine from the very different previous 2.3?

 

[danmoochie]

Ford has produced somewhere around 2 million 2.7 motors. In the F-150, Bronco, multiple Lincoln models, Fusion etc. It is a VERY well sorted out engine.

Exactly!

 

[cc1999]

It’s time for the F100 nameplate to make a comeback!

I actually love the Ranger name, but you make a good point for marketing purposes.

The F100 Ranger is an iconic name in the F series lineup dating back into the 60s and 70s maybe earlier, not sure when the Ranger name came about.

How hard could it be to slap an F100 logo on the doors or tailgate.
Could still keep the Ranger logo stamped into the tailgate.

This a couple classic examples of F100 Ranger.

 

[cc1999]

Honestly, I am not 100% convinced this is all about cannibalization of the F150.
I think it had more to do with the fact there is only one plant making them and it shares its assembly line with the Bronco. Up until recently the Bronco was a runaway success and in order to build more Rangers, they would have to cut back Bronco production.

I do however believe that trend is about to or has shifted to some degree. The Bronco Fad seems to be cooling off and Ford seems to be pumping out more Rangers now, more than ever before from that Bronco plant or where the 6th gen is concerned.

Dealer lots are loaded with Bronco's these days and it only makes sense that if supply is finally being met or exceeded where the Bronco is concerned that would or should be freeing up more production capacity for the Ranger, which that seems to be exactly what is happening now, or over the past 90 - 120 days or so. Rangers are now starting to show up in significant numbers on dealer lots now days. Where only 6 months ago it was rare to see more than a couple setting even on larger dealer lots.

The dealership I was on Saturday picking up a 3rd Ranger for my business, and the lots I have been on over the past 90 days, all have at least 6-12 Rangers in stock, which was not the case 6 months ago.
They all had Bronco's stacked deep too.

I think once the supply of Rangers is finally built up to a decent level, then we will see the marketing begin, along with likely some better rebates and or finance incentives as well.

 

[HighDesertRanger]

Honestly, I am not 100% convinced this is all about cannibalization of the F150.
I think it had more to do with the fact there is only one plant making them and it shares its assembly line with the Bronco. Up until recently the Bronco was a runaway success and in order to build more Rangers, they would have to cut back Bronco production.

I do however believe that trend is about to or has shifted to some degree. The Bronco Fad seems to be cooling off and Ford seems to be pumping out more Rangers now, more than ever before from that Bronco plant or where the 6th gen is concerned.

Dealer lots are loaded with Bronco's these days and it only makes sense that if supply is finally being met or exceeded where the Bronco is concerned that would or should be freeing up more production capacity for the Ranger, which that seems to be exactly what is happening now, or over the past 90 - 120 days or so. Rangers are now starting to show up in significant numbers on dealer lots now days. Where only 6 months ago it was rare to see more than a couple setting even on larger dealer lots.

The dealership I was on Saturday picking up a 3rd Ranger for my business, and the lots I have been on over the past 90 days, all have at least 6-12 Rangers in stock, which was not the case 6 months ago.
They all had Bronco's stacked deep too.

I think once the supply of Rangers is finally built up to a decent level, then we will see the marketing begin, along with likely some better rebates and or finance incentives as well.

I definitely hope you are correct.

 

[bigb]

This a couple classic examples of F100 Ranger.

Whoever put those LED headlights in that classic truck needs to be beaten about the head and shoulders.

 

[Ron Quixote]

Whoever put those LED headlights in that classic truck needs to be beaten about the head and shoulders.

I dunno, man. Have you ever driven with “classic” headlights at night?

 

[stemplar]

Whoever put those LED headlights in that classic truck needs to be beaten about the head and shoulders.

I’ve been “improving” (as subjectively defined by me alone) vehicles I own for decades and make no apologies for it. Points and condenser? In the trash in favor of electronic ignition. Mechanical injectors? No thanks. Incandescent bulbs and housings? In the parts bin, replaced by modern, properly designed lights.

if someone wants to make their old machine “better” then let them. Yea it kills me to see idiots take angle grinders to classic bike frames, but as long as it’s not mine I’ll keep my mouth shut about it.

 

[gmpetrie]

With the Ranger gaining market share globally, I think Ranger is likely to become more visible in US marketing . . . 2.7 or 2.3 it’s a great truck!

Sponsored